Monsieur Chapeau, winning a championship at the MEPBG Exmoor Pony Show at Brendon Show (Image: Geoff Baylis)

​Recently the World Bitless Association​ ran a campaign to find their ‘Champion Bitless Ambassador' with LightRider Bridles being one of the 4 brand sponsors, each also awarding their own brand ambassador from the entries submitted.

Exmoor Pony gelding Monseiur Chapeau with owner Dawn Westcott won the LightRider Champion Bitless Ambassador. The pair were also awarded overall runner-up to the World Bitless Association Champion Ambassador, Karen Inkster and Connie from the UK. Karen has chosen a LightRider bitless bridle as her prize for the award.

​Coming second to Dawn and Monsieur Chapeau in the LightRider Champion Ambassador Award was Kallie Zeinstra from the United States of America, while Australian Leah Sharp took third place.

Monsieur Chapeau was rescued from the moors by Nick and Dawn Westcott as an orphan foal in 2014. He was nearing starvation and suffering from pneumonia but recovered well and now helps socialise other wild-born foals and ponies as part of the Exmoor Pony Project near Somerset in the United Kingdom. He enjoys liberty walks, equine agility, connecting with visitors and has even been to London to appear live on ITV This Morning with his best friend, Lady Stumpkin Pumpkin. His story is told in Dawn’s best-selling book, Wild Pony Whispering.Dawn has trained her wild-born Exmoor stallion Bear (Wild Stallion Whispering) to win two world championships in international horse agility and he is ridden bitless where possible. ​

Exmoor Stallion, Bear wears his LightRider English Bitless Bridle.

“Once I discovered the English style LightRider, it literally changed our lives here,” Dawn commented. “Before, there was such a contrast between working with head collars or halters – and then having to switch to bitted bridles for the show ring and ridden competition and activities. I’m delighted and honored to be an ambassador for this work. A big thank you to Cynthia for everything she does to make things more comfortable and enjoyable for horses and ponies."

“I love how the World Bitless Association recognises that bits are part of many people’s journeys – particularly in competition – and puts emphasis on empathetic, considerate riding, whether bitted or bitless. That’s the key – working towards the lightest possible riding and handling whatever equipment you’re using. I’m very pleased to be representing and supporting such a great association and this progressive step forwards for empathetic horsemanship globally. Along with a great opportunity to promote the Exmoor pony breed.”

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Hi, I'm Cynthia Cooper - inventor of the LightRider Bitless Bridle.My other website is www.naturalhorseworld.com where I have hundreds of articles on Natural Horse Care, Hoofcare and Horsemanship, along with my monthly News Blog.

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